but karl..throughout the episode there were such conflicting ideas and emotions of ruth lytton. on one hand she was the matriarch of the family, loving and protecting at every turn...and in the next moment she was killing off her brother and framing her niece. i just don't get it...but maybe that is the reason that i find her one of the most intriguing murderers that has ever appeared as a columbo murderer. she is the epitome of the complex character.

Don't certain species of Lizard eat their young if they hang around too long? There you go.

ha ha ha!!!! there was a certain resemblance to lizards in that family...